MLB roundup: Pujols' season may be over

The Sports Xchange

The SportsXchange•July 28, 2013

Los Angeles Angels first baseman and designated hitter Albert Pujols was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday with a partial plantar fascia tear in his left foot, the team announced. It is not known how long Pujols might be out, but the problem could be season ending. The perennial All-Star said earlier this month that surgery might be required to repair the injury, which has bothered him throughout the season and was reinjured on Friday night while he was running to first base on a single. The move was retroactive to Saturday. The 33-year-old Pujols, who joined the Angels as a free agent in December 2011 after signing a 10-year, $250 million contract, is batting .258 with 17 home runs and 64 RBIs in 99 games this season. The Angele recalled Kole Calhoun from Triple-A Salt Lake City to fill Pujols' spot ont he 25-man roster.

---Major League Baseball could announce suspensions in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing substances case this week that would include a ban for the remainder of the 2013 season and all of 2014 for New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, the New York Post reported. The Post indicated that Major League Baseball wants to announce at one time the suspensions of all players allegedly involved before there are fewer than 50 games remaining in the regular season. Even if he were suspended, the 38-year-old Rodriguez would still collect a $21 million salary for the 2015 season, $20 million in 2016 and $20 million in 2017.

---Florida Marlins hitting coach Tino Martinez resigned after being accused of grabbing a player by his neck and neck chain. At first, team owner Jeffrey Loria nixed the idea of Martinez resigning, but later his resignation was accepted. The agent for rookie second baseman Derek Dietrich contacted Marlins officials about the alleged incident, which supposedly occurred a few months ago, according to the Miami Herald. Dietrich was demoted to the minors last week. Martinez is accused of being verbally abusive to players dating to the start of spring training. Some players have complained to manager Mike Redmond.